Turning 50

As a man, it means I have experience. I pray it means I have learned from that experience.
As a husband, it means I should be less selfish. I pray I never stop listening and loving.
As a father, it means I’ve seen all the stages of raising my children. I pray I continue to instill in them a love for God and for others.
As a teacher, it means I’ve had many years in the Word. I pray I never rest on what I know about God today.
As a leader of God’s people, I’ve seen trends come and go. I pray that I will be faithful to worship God in the way He desires.
As a singer and songwriter, I’ve used the gifts God has given me. I pray that He will continue to receive glory through me.
As Christian, I’ve had 45 years to grow in maturity. I pray that I continue to run the race faithfully till the end.

Some people have a mid life crisis and go buy a sports car. I never had time (or money) for such nonsense. I'm both happy and sad to be 50 years old today.

I'm happy because I realize youth, while the popular thing, is passing fad for all of us. My goal is not to be and act as young as I can, but to be and act as mature as I can. We aren’t called to press on to “perpetual teenagedness” (if that’s a word).

I am also sad, because as I look at my first 50 years, I am heartbroken as to the amount of time has been spent on wood, hay, and stubble. Most of my years are behind me…and oh, if I had it to do over again, I would change so many things…but I don’t. I do have today…and by the grace of God, I will have tomorrow. My prayer is that the last few decades will be more full of prayer, study, evangelism, discipleship, reading, serving, listening, and living God and others than the first 5.

Bill Itzel

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